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Animal Behavior College

Animal Behavior College

Where Animal Lovers Pursue Animal Careers

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Home » Lifestyle » Adopt a Dog

Adopt a Dog

Open your heart and home to a canine (or two) in need.

Shelter Dog
The rewards that come from adopting a dog are seemingly endless for you and your new companion. Photo credit: Halfpoint/iStock

As a dog lover, you probably know you have several different options for how to bring a new dog into your life. You can buy the dog from a breeder or other source, or you can adopt a dog. If you plan to buy a purebred dog, a responsible breeder is your best bet. However, before you go this route, consider adopting a dog. Here are several reasons why you should.

Dogs are Dying. The sad truth is that 1.2 million dogs are euthanized in American shelters every year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. By adoption a dog from a shelter or private rescue, you are saving a life.

Purebreds Need Homes. If you have your heart set on a particular breed of dog, you don’t necessarily have to purchase one from a breeder.

Lots of Gratitude. Owners of adopted dogs tend to agree: when you give a home to a dog that was abandoned or neglected, you will be rewarded many times over with love and gratitude. Adopted dogs seem to know that they were rescued, and they never forget it.

If you want to open your heart and home to a dog in need, listed below are places you can look.

Shelter Dog
If you’re set on getting a purebred, there are numerous breed-specific rescues where you can find the perfect dog. Photo credit: Martina Vaculikova/iStock

Local Shelter. Many cities and counties operate animal shelters to take in unwanted and abandoned pets. These facilities are often crowded, and resources are limited. In many of these shelters, dogs are placed up for adoption for only a limited time before being euthanized. Adopting a dog from a local shelter can literally save the dog’s life.

Private Rescues. Many private rescues are in operation around the country. Some of these rescues operate out of facilities maintained by donations, while most use a foster-home system to house dogs waiting for permanent homes. Dogs under the care of these rescues are often taken from local shelters where they would be euthanized, or surrendered by owners. By adopting a dog from a private rescue, you open up space at the rescue for another dog in need.

Happy Dog
You can give a shelter dog a reason to jump for you by adopting one today. Photo credit: Ammit/iStock

Purebred Rescues. Just about every breed of dog is represented by a rescue organization, often sponsored by the breed’s national club. These rescues use a foster home system to house dogs in need, and specialize in finding homes just for that breed. Most of the dogs available through breed rescues are young adults or seniors, although puppies are occasionally up for adoption. Dogs in purebred rescues are often taken from local shelters or are surrendered by their owners.

You can find adoptable dogs of every breed, age, size and shape by exploring the Petfinder.com website, where local shelters, private rescues and purebred rescues all list dogs in need of homes.


About the Author: Audrey Pavia is an award-winning freelance writer and author of “The Labrador Retriever Handbook.” She is a former staff editor of Dog Fancy, Dog World and The AKC Gazette magazines. To learn more about her work, visit www.audreypavia.com and hollywoodhoofbeats.net.

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STATE LICENSURE AND APPROVAL
Animal Behavior College is a private vocational school approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (www.bppe.ca.gov) under the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 and Title 5. California Code of Regulations Division 7.5. Private Postsecondary Education. The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education approval means that this institution and its operation comply with the standards established under the law for occupational instruction by private postsecondary educational institutions. Institutional approval is subject to continual review and the institution must reapply for approval every five years.
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Please be advised that Animal Behavior College ("ABC") is the exclusive entity authorized to provide certifications and/or degrees from Animal Behavior College. Moreover, such certifications and/or degrees are only conferred by ABC following a student's completion of an ABC-administered program. No other entity or individual has authority to confer certifications and/or degrees on ABC's behalf. Any other entity or individual who attempts to do so is acting without express or implied authority from ABC.
GI BILL® TRADEMARK ATTRIBUTION
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
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